Performer Notes

Originally released on Enterprise (2-5002).
Personnel: Isaac Hayes (vocals, piano, electric piano, organ, vibraphone); Charles "Skip" Pitts, Michael Toles (guitar); The Memphis Strings (strings); Andrew Love (saxophone); Wayne Jackson (trumpet); Sidney Kirk (piano); Lester Snell (electric piano); James Alexander , Ronnie Hudson (bass instrument); Willie Hall (drums, percussion); Gary Jones (congas, bongos).
The title track's perennially recognizable hi-hat and wah-wah guitar intro, interlocking horn/string parts, and smooth, proto-rap verses conjure the name SHAFT as surely as a snake-charmer's incantation. It also conjures the name of Isaac Hayes--the songwriter, arranger, musician, and producer responsible for the phenomenally successful soundtrack to the landmark 1971 Blaxploitation film. Hayes's status as a key player in the Stax/Volt soul empire, and as a solo artist of considerable renown, went through the roof with this double-LP (now compiled on a 70-minute CD).
Hayes's lush, ambitious arrangements are performed by the Bar-Kays, one of Stax's premier house bands, along with guest string and horn players. Aside from the highbrow funk of the title track and two other vocal cuts (Hayes's ballad "Soulsville" and the near-20-minute midtempo funk of "Do Your Thing"), this is an instrumental set with a strong "cinematic" feel. Jazz, lounge, R&B, and atmospheric interludes are blended to give ample evidence of Hayes's brilliance as a composer and arranger. SHAFT was a commercial zenith for Hayes, and made his name as a giant of soul.

Professional Reviews

Spin (p.70) - "[T]he man's true genius was as an arranger, and his marvelously tricky blend of funk and Bacharach-like sophistication is in perfect balance here."

Entertainment Weekly (10/12/01, p.36) - Ranked #40 in EW's "100 Best Movie Soundtracks" - "...A funkafied mama jama..."

Entertainment Weekly (10/12/01, p.36) - Ranked #40 in EW's "100 Best Movie Soundtracks" - "...A funkafied mama jama..."

Q (10/00, pp.142-4) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...It single-handedly enhanced the reputation of a stylish but dull feature, and helped give rise to an entire movie genre. The potency of that track...highlights Hayes; top-flight skills as a composer....its lasting impact is more obvious..."

Q (10/00, pp.142-4) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...It single-handedly enhanced the reputation of a stylish but dull feature, and helped give rise to an entire movie genre. The potency of that track...highlights Hayes; top-flight skills as a composer....its lasting impact is more obvious..."

Mojo (Publisher) (6/02, p.66) - Included in Mojo's "100 Coolest Movie Soundtracks".

Mojo (Publisher) (11/99, p.132) - "...boasting Issac Hayes' brilliant score. The main theme proved unstoppable, an award-winner that resulted in countless similar funk fiestas..."

Mojo (Publisher) (10/00, p.100) - "...The melodramatic strings, sleazy horns and wacca-wacca guitars are all present, but it still feels as ersatz as an old Top Of The Pops compilation album..."

Mojo (Publisher) (6/02, p.66) - Included in Mojo's "100 Coolest Movie Soundtracks".

Mojo (Publisher) (11/99, p.132) - "...boasting Issac Hayes' brilliant score. The main theme proved unstoppable, an award-winner that resulted in countless similar funk fiestas..."

Uncut (magazine) (p.88) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he ghetto lament 'Soulsville' and the symphonic chill of 'Do Your Thing' endure as exemplars of '70s soul."

Album: Shaft
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Theme From Shaft	More Info...	4:36
2)	Bumpy's Lament	More Info...	1:49
3)	Walk From Regio's	More Info...	2:21
4)	Ellie's Love Theme Album Version	More Info...	3:15
5)	Shaft's Cab Ride	More Info...	1:07
6)	Cafe Regio	More Info...	5:59
7)	Early Sunday Morning	More Info...	3:46
8)	Be Yourself	More Info...	4:27
9)	A Friend's Place	More Info...	3:21
10)	Soulsville	More Info...	3:47
11)	No Name Bar	More Info...	6:09
12)	Bumpy's Blues	More Info...	4:01
13)	Shaft Strikes Again	More Info...	3:03
14)	Do Your Thing	More Info...	19:31
15)	The End Theme	More Info...	1:56

Album: Shaft
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Theme From Shaft	More Info...	4:36
2)	Bumpy's Lament	More Info...	1:49
3)	Walk From Regio's	More Info...	2:21
4)	Ellie's Love Theme Album Version	More Info...	3:15
5)	Shaft's Cab Ride	More Info...	1:07
6)	Cafe Regio	More Info...	5:59
7)	Early Sunday Morning	More Info...	3:46
8)	Be Yourself	More Info...	4:27
9)	A Friend's Place	More Info...	3:21
10)	Soulsville	More Info...	3:47
11)	No Name Bar	More Info...	6:09
12)	Bumpy's Blues	More Info...	4:01
13)	Shaft Strikes Again	More Info...	3:03
14)	Do Your Thing	More Info...	19:31
15)	The End Theme	More Info...	1:56